Page 91 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

“Now, escort me to this meeting and cheer up.” She wraps an arm around my elbow. We ascend the several flights of stairs needed to reach the meeting hall.

As my mother and I approach the chamber, the heavy doors open to reveal the familiar grandeur of a vast round table. Memories flood back of those tedious elders’ meetings I’d often try to escape from when I was younger.

Sybil, the Sorceress and Kaine’s wife, quickly strides toward us. It’s evident her place here is more due to her marital ties than her own merit. Kaine himself, having a seat at this council, doesn’t sit well with me. But with Lyra’s parents gone and Samael off the throne, the council seats seem to be filled with second choices.

I count the chairs and look around the room, taking note of who is here. There’s my parents, Nyx, Drew, Roland, and Auelina. The last two, a pair of Elders from Nighthold, I haven’t seen in years. And I imagine normally Aidan would be here to represent the Lycan Realm, but I presume Larc will be present tonight if the rumors are true of him taking over as leader of the packs. I don’t know if he has a wife or not, will be interesting to see if he shows.

Observing the room, I realize just how Fae-dominated this council has become. Given our longevity, it’s not surprising, but the imbalance is noticeable.

Pushing aside my growing unease, I settle into the chair next to Drew. The wood beneath me feels hard and cold, reflecting the atmosphere of the room.

Kaine’s voice slices through the tension. “Since when did you become a member of this council?” His condescending tone grates on my nerves.

Drew, always the pillar of calm, retorts, “He may not be an official member, but he knows Lyra better than most. He’s earned his place here, even if just to listen and offer insights.” I cast her a grateful glance. Our bond is time-tested. We’ve always stood up for one another.

Kaine’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t push it, instead letting out an irked grunt. The rest of the council finds their seats.

I can’t help but feel Lyra’s absence. This entire assembly is for her, about her. Yet she’s not here, not given a voice. It’s a continuation of the life she’s always led, where decisions are made for her. The injustice of it pisses me off, but for now I bite my tongue, waiting to see how the events unfold.

It’s my father who speaks first. Always accustomed to running things, he finds it odd that this council doesn’t really have a leader. Everyone is supposed to have an equal say. However, only a small handful of people here were even alive to witness the last dark Sorcerer’s rule. “Thank you, Drew, for filling us all in and calling this meeting. I understand it was originally convened to ensure Lyra’s safety during the awakening of magic. But with her magic already intact, that is no longer necessary. However, there are still many matters that need discussing today. The first, what do we plan to do with her?”

“Actually, I believe what needs to be discussed first is the situation in Eguina—the deaths, the attacks, and the unmistakable sense of darkness looming. I know I’m not the only one who has seen it, felt it,” Drew asserts.

Before anyone can respond, Nyx interjects, “Indeed. Nighthold has experienced an increase in attacks over the past few months. Creatures not typically found in Nighthold are appearing there. We’ve had several unfortunate fatalities, with new reports of disturbances coming in daily.”

“And you don’t believe this dark shroud spreading across the lands is due to the girl?” Kaine poses, skepticism evident in his voice. My gut churns with discomfort. I don’t like where this conversation is heading.

“No, what’s happening now feels identical to what I felt prior to the War of the Realms. Roland, Granger, surely you both remember?” Drew inquires, seeking confirmation from the seasoned elders present.

Roland dismissively responds, “The past should remain in the past. What we need to discuss urgently is the prospect of neutralizing the girl. Most here might not recall the havoc of the last dark Sorcerer, but I do. As each day passes, her power grows. If we delay, there might come a time when we’re powerless against her. If King Onyx had done his job, this wouldn’t be an issue right now.”

My blood boils at his implication. Before Nyx can react, I interject, “Lyra has Gholioth blood in her, placed there by Euric. He’s convinced that once she’s back in Zomea, he can extract it. Doing so could restore Zomea’s stability, consequently bringing stability to Eguina. Perhaps history is repeating itself. Who’s to say Euric didn’t steal something during the War of the Realms?”

“Why then, did he not act during your visit, son?” my father questions, his tone cool and indifferent. His lack of immediate support grates on my nerves, but he’s always been this way.

“Because Euric believed Lyra wouldn’t have survived the process; she wasn’t strong enough without her dark magic,” I reveal. Nyx’s gaze snaps to mine, his eyes piercing, as if he believes I’d have let Euric endanger her in any way.

“How can you be so sure she’ll withstand it now?” Nyx challenges, making me wish we could’ve had this conversation privately.

“It’s irrelevant whether she survives or not,” my father interjects coldly. “If there’s any merit to the procedure and it can halt the devastation to our realms, it must be attempted. If her life is the price for restoring balance, so be it.”

Drew subtly taps my hand beneath the table, a silent plea for restraint. Yet, my patience is wearing thin.

“If she perishes in the process, it might solve two of our concerns,” Roland smugly adds. I’m on the brink of eruption, especially seeing Nyx, who professes profound love for Lyra, maintaining an infuriating calm.

Nyx is accustomed to handling difficult individuals in meetings. I’m not. As I rise, poised to give Roland a piece of my mind, the Lycans enter the room. Drew instantly stands beside me, saying, “Larc and Libby, I’m glad you could join us. Please have a seat.” As she settles down, she pulls me to sit beside her. Drew always appears composed, even if she’s internally churning.

Larc nods in acknowledgement. “It was a challenge to slip away, but your ship proved invaluable. Thank you.” I study Larc for a moment. Lyra has spoken of him in a positive light, indicating they share some history. However, the depth of their connection remains uncertain to me.

My father quickly brings Larc and Libby up to speed on the discussion thus far. “From what we’ve gathered, the Lycan Realm has borne the brunt of the recent disturbances. While Nighthold grapples with escalating attacks and the Sorcerer Realm witnesses dying vegetation, we’d like to understand the full extent of the situation in your territory,” Drew prompts, her gaze fixed intently on Larc.

“It’s been an arduous few months, especially following Aidan’s death—our previous pack master—and the challenges his passing brought. Our pride in safeguarding the realms by containing the monsters within the Shifting Forest is being tested as we speak. The very essence of magic in our territory is undergoing a transformation. This looming darkness you allude to? I’ve witnessed it firsthand. As our forests wither away, malevolent creatures expand their territory, encroaching beyond our borders. Some of our younger Lycans struggle to control their shifting abilities, resulting in unfortunate casualties,” Larc recounts.

Drew’s mention of the events preceding the War of the Realms resonates in my mind. The circumstances then were different—Lyra wasn’t in the picture, and the Gholioth blood wasn’t a factor I was conscious of. Euric had previously sealed Zomea and mended Eguina, yet no one truly investigated the methods he employed.

What is he concealing? Despite Lyra’s inclination to trust him, my instincts warn me of his potential duplicity. I’m also skeptical of my father’s intentions. His longstanding alliance with Euric, during and post-war, coupled with his reluctance to delve into those times, leaves me wary. History should be our guide, ensuring we don’t replicate past mistakes. But how can we benefit when our leaders seem to veil the truth? I exhale deeply, forcing myself to stay present, attentive, and above all composed.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a shadow moving, but with no windows and only the dim glow of candles, my eyes could easily deceive me. Roland breaks the thick tension, “It pains me to hear of the troubles in your lands, but this is a foreshadowing of what awaits all our territories. Forget Zomea, forget Euric. The girl must be eliminated. Everything traces back to her and that nefarious magic she wields.”